[Phys-L] Re: Quarters vs Semesters

[Rick Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rauber, Joel" <Joel.Rauber@SDSTATE.EDU>
> Interesting observations regarding what I said about saving money in
> administrating the starts and stops.  My opinions regarding that matter
> pre-date the computerization of entering grades and of the registration
> process, I suspect that they are valid for that era, when a lot of
> schools started the transformation; but we live in a new era where what
> you were saying probably is more valid.
>
> I wonder if some bean counters are using old data, where maybe the
> savings in money existed, to arm their arguments for the process; and
> fail to realize that IT may have changed the equation?

However, never forget that all those computers need to be fed and cared
for--like children.  Any jobs/hours eliminated in the registrar's office
have surely been replaced by jobs in the InfoTech department--and maybe more
so.  We have our Banner specialists, Prism specialist, Blackboard
specialist, etc. who must not only keep the programs up to date and running,
but then must train people how to use the programs.  Since the programs
change yearly and new people are hired all the time, there is considerable
work there that was not necessarily needed in the old pencil and paper days.
Then, if like here, you not only have the course bulletin on line, but also
in print--3 bulletins cost more than 2.  So, computerization or not, I
suspect 2 semesters still beats 3 quarters with the bean counters.

Rick (Who would like to see an experiment where a school shut down ALL their
computers for a year.  ;-)
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